Key Points and Summary – A hypothetical matchup between Sweden’s 4.5-gen Saab Gripen and China’s new 5th-gen J-35 pits agility against stealth. In a beyond-visual-range (BVR) fight, the J-35 would likely win; its superior stealth allows it to achieve a “first-look, first-shot” against the less stealthy Gripen.
JAS 39 Gripen. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
-However, in a close-range visual dogfight, the more agile and faster Gripen could “hold its own or maybe even win.”
-The conclusion is a classic asymmetric contest: the winner depends entirely on the specific combat scenario, with the J-35 being a stealth predator and the Gripen a nimble survivor.
Sweden’s Respect JAS 39 Gripen vs. China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen has been making its rounds on the international market recently, with many successful deals and many more countries expressing interest in it.
Not to be outdone, China has been making significant progress on its J-35 stealth fighter, which is expected to be offered for export, potentially displacing the Gripen in some regions of the world. Already, several countries have expressed interest in acquiring J-35, including Pakistan and Russia, surprisingly.
While on paper it seems like the J-35 is all around the better fighter, is this really the case, or can the Gripen stand its own against China’s newest fighter?
Does the JAS 39 Gripen Stand a Chance Against the J-35?
The JAS 39 Gripen, developed by Sweden’s Saab, is a lightweight multirole fighter that first flew in 1988. It belongs to the 4.5 generation of fighters and was designed with cost-efficiency, agility, and operational flexibility in mind.
Sweden’s defense strategy emphasized dispersed operations and survivability, which enabled the Gripen to operate from short, improvised runways and be maintained by small ground crews.
Its delta wing and canard configuration, combined with fly-by-wire controls and relaxed stability, give it excellent maneuverability and responsiveness in dogfights.
In contrast, the J-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. It evolved from the FC-31 prototype and was later tailored for carrier operations, featuring folding wings and reinforced landing gear.
J-35A Fighter at Le Bourget Air Show. Image Credit: Author/National Security Journal.
The J-35 is designed for power projection, stealth, and networked warfare, with internal weapons bays, advanced sensor fusion, and low radar cross-section.
It represents China’s push to expand its blue-water naval capabilities and compete with Western stealth fighters like the F-35.
Avionics: Who Has Better Electronics?
The Gripen E is equipped with the Raven ES-05 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, a highly capable electronic warfare suite, and advanced data fusion systems that allow it to operate effectively in contested environments.
Its avionics are designed for modularity and ease of upgrade, with a strong emphasis on electronic countermeasures and pilot situational awareness. On the other hand, J-35, as a fifth-generation stealth fighter, features more integrated sensor fusion (according to reports), combining inputs from its AESA radar, infrared search and track (IRST), and datalinks to create a seamless 360-degree battlespace picture.
Its avionics are optimized for stealth operations and network-centric warfare, enabling it to act as a command node in a larger combat network. While the Gripen focuses on agility and survivability through electronic warfare, the J-35 emphasizes stealth, information dominance, and first-look, first-shot capabilities.
Engine Performance
The JAS 39 Gripen E is powered by a single General Electric F414G engine, which provides a balance of thrust and fuel efficiency, enabling the aircraft to reach speeds of Mach 2 while maintaining low operational costs and a relatively small logistical footprint.
Its lightweight design complements the engine’s output, making it highly agile and responsive.
In contrast, the J-35 uses a twin-engine configuration, likely based on Chinese developments of the RD-93 or WS-13 series, depending on the source.
This twin-engine setup provides greater thrust and redundancy, which is particularly important for carrier operations and handling heavy payloads. Not much is currently known about the specific details of the J-35’s engines.
J-35 Fighter. Image Credit: Chinese State Media.
Its top speed, thrust-weight ratio, and supercruise capabilities are as of yet classified.
While the J-35 may not match the Gripen’s top speed, its engines support stealth shaping and internal weapons bays, contributing to its overall survivability and mission flexibility in high-threat environments.
Comparing Each Fighter’s Strengths
In terms of combat capabilities, the Gripen excels in agility and electronic warfare. Its high roll rates and turn performance make it a formidable opponent in close-range dogfights. It also features helmet-mounted sights and infrared-guided missiles, which enhance its lethality in visual-range combat. The aircraft’s ability to land on roads and be serviced quickly allows for high sortie rates and rapid deployment.
The J-35’s strengths lie in its stealth and sensor fusion. In a BVR scenario, it would likely detect and engage the Gripen before being seen, giving it a significant first-strike advantage. Its ability to operate from carriers adds strategic flexibility, allowing it to project power far from home bases.
The aircraft is also designed to function as a node in a multi-domain battle network, sharing targeting data with ships, drones, and other aircraft to coordinate attacks and defenses.
Who Wins in 4 Words: It Might Be close
Theoretically, the J-35 should be able to overpower the Gripen, but actual combat is rarely that simple. Both fighters possess state-of-the-art avionics, but stealth really is a huge bonus for the J-35. It could engage the Gripen from long range and potentially neutralize it before the Swedish fighter even knew it was under threat.
However, in a land-based scenario with dispersed operations and visual-range combat, the Gripen could hold its own or maybe even win. Its superior speed, agility, and electronic warfare capabilities would allow it to evade detection, close the distance, and potentially outmaneuver the J-35 in a dogfight.
Ultimately, determining which aircraft would win in a one-on-one fight is not straightforward. The J-35 has the edge in stealth and BVR combat, while the Gripen excels in agility, cost-efficiency, and electronic warfare.
Pilot skill, rules of engagement, and environmental factors would play a decisive role in any encounter.
The J-35 is a stealth predator designed for first strikes and networked warfare, while the Gripen is a nimble survivor built for resilience and adaptability. Each has a shot at victory, depending on the circumstances.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
More Military
The F/A-18 Super Hornet Fighter Has Reached the End of the Line
The Ferrari F-35 Could Be a Sky Monster
F-22 Super: The ‘New’ Stealth Fighter Is Coming
